Franciscan Health names interim president to lead Harrison Medical Center

Jim Civilla, Harrison Medical Center Board chairman, announced Thursday that Joe Kortum has been appointed interim president of Harrison Medical Center, part of the Tacoma-based Franciscan Health System.

Most recently, Kortum served as president and CEO for the Vancouver, Washington-based Columbia Network of PeaceHealth. During his tenure, he led Southwest Medical Center through affiliation with PeaceHealth and oversaw adoption of new health care technologies. Over a 30-year career, he also led health care organizations in Arizona, California and Oregon, according to a Franciscan news release Thursday.

“We believe that Joe’s many years of hospital leadership experience will benefit Harrison while we seek a permanent president for the organization,” Civilla stated. “Joe is successful in building both staff and physician partnerships in ways that build value and improve the patient experience.”

Kortum will arrive July 7, and officially assumes the role of interim president on August 1, following the retirement of current president and CEO Scott Bosch, who has led the organization for nearly a decade. Kortum will remain in place during the nationwide search for a new president of Harrison Medical Center. This search began in late May, following the retirement announcement of Bosch. It is anticipated his successor will be named by this fall or early winter.

Franciscan Health System includes St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way, St. Clare Hospital in Lakewood, St. Elizabeth Hospital in Enumclaw and St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor, among other facilities.